Collapsible Storage Container Article With A Dedicated Writing Surface

ABSTRACT

A collapsible storage container article with a dedicated writing surface comprises: a flexible bottom panel, flexible side, front and rear panels, and a flexible top panel. An interior of the container farther comprises a plurality of rigid plastic panels expandable and/or integrated for proximate placement to at least one of each of the flexible bottom, side, front, rear and top panels. An exterior of at least one of the flexible bottom, side, front, rear and top panels comprises a dedicated writing surface capable of receiving writing by a writing instrument, and wherein the dedicated writing surface may erasable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Storage containers are generally well known in the art and entire retail outlets have been established directed towards products for organizing, storing, and packing away items that would otherwise create clutter. Such storage containers fall within certain categories. Some containers are rigid to withstand items stored within, as well as provide durability and structure for stacking multiple containers. Almost of these types of rigid containers are cumbersome when not in use, meaning they use as much space when not in use as they do when being used. Other containers overcome the downside of occupying space when not in use by being collapsible, and most are soft-sided and/or expandable; however, they tend to lack the durability and structure of the rigid container, therefore lack the ability to be stacked. Moreover, containers are either transparent or semi-transparent so that the user may view what is stored within the container, or the container is opaque and the user must deface the container with markers and the like to indicate the contents. Even more problematic is if a user wishes not to deface an opaque storage container, then the user must access each container until they locate the desired unit.

What is needed and disclosed by the present disclosure is a collapsible container article with a dedicated writing surface. The disclosed article comprises; the structure and durability of a rigid container, the convenience of storage when not in use by being collapsible, and convenient for a user to identify the contents by comprising a dedicated writable surface to indicate the nature of the contents or other information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among various exemplary embodiments, the present article comprises a collapsible storage container with a dedicated writing surface comprising; a flexible bottom panel, flexible side panels, flexible front and rear panels, and a flexible top panel. An interior of the container further comprises a plurality of rigid plastic panels expandable for proximate placement to at least one of each of the flexible bottom, side, front ear and top panels. An exterior of at least the of the flexible bottom, side, front, rear and top panels comprises a dedicated writing surface capable of receiving writing by a writing instrument, where in the dedicated writing surface is preferably erasable.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, a collapsible container article comprises flexible bottom, top, front and rear panels; and flexible first side and second side panels. The article further comprises a plurality of internal rigid plastic panels; wherein rear, front and top internal rigid plastic panels are respectively integrated to the flexible rear panel, the flexible front panel and the flexible top panel. An internal rigid plastic first side panel couples at a first side plastic panel edge to as first side intersection between the flexible first side panel and the flexible rear panel. An internal rigid plastic second side panel couples at a second side plastic panel edge to a second side intersection between the flexible second side panel and the flexible rear panel; and an internal rigid plastic bottom panel couples at a bottom plastic panel edge to a bottom intersection between the flexible rear panel and the flexible bottom panel. The article further comprises an. exterior of at least one of the flexible bottom, first side, second side, front, rear and top panels to comprise a dedicated writing surface capable of receiving writing by a writing instrument, wherein the dedicated writing surface may be subsequently erasable.

Among the various exemplary articles disclosed herein, in an expanded form the flexible bottom, side, front rear, and top panels, and interior rigid plastic panels form at least one of a substantially square cubicle and rectangular cubicle container comprising an interior volume to store items. The container article may comprise an external handle or other types of toting mechanisms affixed to at least one of the flexible bottom, side, front, rear, and top panels for carrying the container. The article may also comprise that at least one of the flexible bottom, side, front, rear, and top panels may comprise at least one of a pocket and sleeve at an exterior of the flexible bottom, side, front, rear, and top panels. The writing instrument may comprise a chalk type material or other instrument that may write and be erasable. The flexible bottom, side, front, rear, and top panels comprise at least one of a cloth and woven synthetic material. And, in the spirit of the invention, the flexible bottom, side, front, rear, and top panels collapse to provide a substantially flat configuration.

Finally, among all the various exemplary embodiments, a collapsible container article with a dedicated writing surface may comprise a method for manufacturing, packaging, marketing, distributing, and/or selling the article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the collapsible container article with a dedicated writing surface may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative FIGS. In the following FIGS., like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the FIGS.

FIG. 1 representatively illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a collapsible container article comprising a dedicated writing surface.

FIG. 2 representatively illustrates the exemplary article showing the integrated and expandable internal rigid plastic panels;

FIG. 3 representatively illustrates the exemplary article in a collapsed configuration;

FIG. 4 representatively illustrates and exemplary article comprising a custom themed dedicated writing surface; and

FIG. 5 representatively illustrates multiple articles positioned and stacked to provide a multi-storage unit.

Elements in the FIGS. are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular configuration. For example, elements shown may be constructed and/or assembled concurrently or in different order or embodiments, and are illustrated in the FIGS. to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the collapsible container with a dedicated writing surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The collapsible container article with dedicated writing surface may be described herein in terms of various functional components and such functional components may be realized by any number of hardware components configured to perform specified functions and achieve various results. For example, the collapsible container article with dedicated writing surface may employ venous container materials; handle or container toting configurations; drawstrings, zippers, snaps, Velcro, and other container closure mechanisms, which all may carry out a variety of functions. In addition, the collapsible container article with dedicated writing surface may be practiced in conjunction with any number of manners for storing items; and the article described is merely one exemplary application for a collapsible container article with a dedicated writing surface. Among all the various exemplary embodiments, a collapsible container article with a dedicated writing surface may comprise a method for manufacturing, packaging, marketing, distributing, and/or selling the article.

Various exemplary embodiments of a collapsible container article with a dedicated writing surface may be applied to any article for storing items. Referring now to FIG. 1, a collapsible container article 100 comprises an assemblage of a flexible bottom panel 101, flexible side panels 110 and 112, flexible front and rear panels 114 and 116 respectively, and a flexible top panel 118. An exterior of at least one of flexible bottom panel 101, side panels 110 and 112, front panel 114, rear panel 116 and top panel 118 comprises a dedicated writing surface capable of receiving writing by a writing installment, wherein the dedicated writing surface is preferably erasable, for example, dedicated writing surface 130 is shown integrated to the exterior of flexible front panel 114. With reference to FIG. 2 an interior 220 of container article 100 further comprises a plurality of rigid, internal, plastic panels integrated and/or expandable for proximate placement to at least one of each of flexible bottom panel 101, side panels 110 and 112, front panel 114, rear panel 116 and flexible top panel 118. In one example, article 100 comprises rigid, internal, plastic bottom panel 202, side panels 211 and 213, from panel 215, rear panel 217 and top panel 319 (FIG. 3).

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, collapsible container article 100 comprises rear 217, front 215 and top 319 internal rigid plastic panels that are respectively integrated to flexible rear panel 116, flexible front panel 114 and flexible top panel 118. Other internal rigid panels maybe expandable. For example, an internal rigid plastic first side panel (i.e., rigid side panel 211), couples at a first side plastic panel edge 250 to a first side intersection 252 between flexible first side panel 110 and flexible rear panel 116. An internal rigid plastic second side panel (i.e. rigid side panel 213) couples at a second side plastic panel edge 260 to a second side intersection 262 between flexible second side panel 112 and flexible rear panel 116. An internal rigid plastic bottom panel (i.e. rigid bottom panel 202) couples at a bottom plastic panel edge 270 to a bottom intersection 272 between flexible rear panel 116 and flexible bottom panel 101.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that by having the internal rigid plastic panels integrated to some flexible panels and others coupled at an edge to an intersection between flexible panels will thereby allow the respective internal rigid plastic panels to fold and facilitate collapsing the article so that it may be manipulated by a user into a substantially flat configuration. For example, FIG. 3 depicts article 100 in a folded, flat configuration for storage when not in use. It will further be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the above preferred embodiment discloses specific internal rigid plastic panels that are integrated to respective flexible panels and others are coupled at an edge to an intersection between flexible panels, various other exemplary embodiments may comprise any permutation of some, all or none of the internal rigid plastic panels integrated, affixed at an edge to an intersection, or any otherwise configuration.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, as disclosed herein, the term “integrated” means that an internal rigid plastic panel may be affixed to its respective flexible panel by at least one of stitching, glues, welds, snaps, Velcro® rivets, buttons, sleeves, pockets, and the like. In some exemplary embodiments, an internal rigid plastic panel may be integrated by being positioned (layered) between a double walled flexible panel. Other integration configurations known to those skilled in the art or developed in the future may employed as well.

Among the various exemplary articles disclosed herein, in an expanded form the flexible bottom, side, front, rear, and top panels, and interior rigid plastic panels form at least one of a substantially square cubicle and rectangular cubicle container comprising an interior volume to store items. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that article 100 disclosed herein may comprise any regular or irregular geometric configuration, which may be configured respectively with some, all, or none of the features disclosed herein.

The container article may comprise an external handle or other types of toting mechanisms affixed to at least one of the flexible bottom, side, front, rear, and top panels for manipulating the container article. Among various exemplary embodiments, article 100 comprises a handle, such as handle 180 (FIG. 1), fastened to flexible top panel 118 of article 100 for manipulating article 100. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other mechanisms for manipulating article 100 may be employed, such as straps, grips, pulls, and the like, and they may be padded, ergonomically contoured, adjustable, etc. Moreover, while, handle 180 is shown coupled to a top portion of article 100, such as flexible top panel 118, any handle type mechanism may he positioned at any location of article 100 to facilitate manipulating article 100; and article 100 may employ any number or type of mechanisms as well. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that article 100 may further compose that at least one of the flexible bottom, side, front, rear, and top panels may comprise at least one of a pocket and sleeve at either an exterior or interior portion of article 100. For example, FIG. 1 depicts sleeve 182 coupled to the exterior portion of flexible side panel 112.

As disclosed herein, an exterior of at least one of flexible bottom panel 101, side panels 110 and 112, front panel 114, rear panel 116 and top panel 118 comprises a dedicated writing surface capable of receiving writing by a writing instrument, wherein the dedicated writing surface is preferably erasable, for example, dedicated writing, surface 130 shown integrated to the exterior of front panel 114 (FIG. 1). In a preferred embodiment, dedicated writing surface 130 comprises of a flexible material capable of receiving writing by a writing instrument, preferably capable of receiving writing by a chalk type material. However, other exemplary embodiments comprise other surfaces that maybe configured to receive writing by a dry-erase marker, a pen, pencil, crayon, marker, etc., or any other instrument that may write and be erasable. Moreover, the writable surface, rather than being flexible is otherwise a rigid component, yet does not detract from the foldability of article 101, and in some embodiments may operate as both the dedicated writing surface and the rigid component. And still yet in other exemplary embodiments the dedicated writing surface is not affixed to one of the flexible panels, but rather comprises the flexible panel itself. Some exemplary embodiments may further comprise some type of compartment, either externally or internally to the article, configured to secure and/or store an writing instrument for the dedicated writing surface.

Turning now to FIG. 4, in an exemplary embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that some articles, such as article 400 depicted, may be custom configured to comprise a dedicated writing surface that corresponds to various custom designs. For example, article 400 depicts a Jack O'Lantern type dedicated writing surface that is clearly directed towards a Halloween themed article. Such customized designs may comprise dedicated writing surfaces comprising of the design itself, or, in other embodiments, the flexible panel may comprise a cut-out relief of the design and the dedicated writing surface is placed proximately behind for use through the cut-out portion. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any type and number of alpha-numeric and or symbolic, illustrative, character-based, sports themed, etc., designs may be used. Moreover, while the exemplary embodiments described herein comprise a single dedicated writing surface associated with the article, other embodiments may comprise articles comprising multiple dedicated writing surfaces on more than one flexible panel.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention comprises a dedicated writing surface. While it is known that almost any surface may be construed as a designated writing surface, the nature of the present invention is to provide a collapsible container article comprising a surface that is specifically tailored to receive writing, which may be subsequently erasable.

Among various exemplary embodiments, the flexible panels of article 100 may comprise any of a variety of materials generally known to those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the various flexible panels of article 100 may comprise a durable woven nylon or other synthetic material that can provide durability and flexibility. The flexible panels may also comprise any of a variety of natural materials, such as cotton, burlap, hemp, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible materials should be durable enough to withstand the regular, cyclical use to un-store and store items, yet breathable to prevent any build-up or promotion of mold, mildew, moisture, and the like during storage, and particularly in places where such storage may take place, such as damp or musty closets, basements, sheds, and the like.

According to various exemplary embodiments, articles, such as article 100 and 400, may be configured to be positioned and/or stacked in a whole number of configurations to accommodate the various needs of user. For example, and with reference to FIG. 5, a number of articles are shown positioned and stacked so as to provide a multi-storage unit 590. The articles may be merely stacked on one another, but in some exemplary embodiment the articles may comprise exterior architectural configurations for nesting multiple articles, or comprise securing mechanisms, such as snaps, Velcro®, buttons, etc, to cur or stack a single article to another. Moreover, because such stacking may prevent access to the interior of the article from the typical top opening, some exemplary embodiments may comprise additional or specifically tailored access panels, drawers, doors, etc., at a front, side, or rear portion of the article. Still yet, other exemplary embodiments, so as to facilitate stacking and provide additional support, may comprise insertable and/or integrated rods, pins, dowels, and any other like support mechanisms to potions of the articles, for example at intersections between flexible panels.

In the foregoing specification, the collapsible container article with a dedicated writing surface has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the collapsible containing article with a dedicated writing surface as set forth in the claims. The specification and FIGS. are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications are led to be included within the scope of the collapsible container article with writable surface. Accordingly, the scope of the collapsible container article with a dedicated writing surface should he determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described.

For example the components and/or elements recited in any physical embodiment claims mad be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims.

Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to problem or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or components of any or all the claims.

As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “including”, “includes” or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, device, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the collapsible container article with writable surface, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same. 

1. A collapsible storage container article comprising: a flexible bottom panel; flexible side, front and rear panels; and a flexible top panel, wherein an interior of the container further comprises a plurality of rigid plastic panels expandable for proximate placement to at least one of each of the flexible bottom, site, front, rear and top panels; and wherein an exterior of at least one of the flexible bottom, side, front, rear and top panels comprises a dedicated writing surface capable of receiving writing by a writing instrument.
 2. The article of claim 1, wherein in an expanded form the flexible bottom, side, front, rear, and top panels, and interior rigid plastic panels form at least one of a substantially square cubicle and rectangular cubicle container comprising an interior volume to store items.
 3. The article of claim 2, wherein the dedicated writing surface comprises a material configured to receive writing by the writing instrument and may be subsequently erasable, and the writing instrument comprises at least one of a chalk-type material and dry erase marker.
 4. The article of claim 3, wherein the container comprises an external handle affixed to at least one of the flexible bottom, side, front, rear, and top panels for carrying the container.
 5. The article of claim 4, wherein the flexible bottom, side, front, rear, and top panels comprises at least one of a cloth and woven synthetic material.
 6. The article of claim 5, wherein the flexible bottom, side, front, rear, and top panels collapse to provide a substantially flat configuration.
 7. The article of claim 6, wherein the flexible top panel comprises one of the plurality of rigid plastic panels integrated to it.
 8. The article of claim 7, wherein at least one of the flexible bottom, side, front, rear, and top panels comprises at least one of a pocket and sleeve at an exterior of the flexible bottom, side, front, rear, and top panels.
 9. A collapsible storage container article comprising: a flexible bottom panel; a flexible first side panel, a flexible second side panel, a flexible front panel and a flexible rear panel; a flexible top panel, wherein an exterior of at least one of the flexible bottom, first side, second side, front, rear and top panels comprises a dedicated writing surface capable of receiving writing by a writing instrument; and, wherein the article further comprises a plurality of internal rigid plastic rear, front and top panels that are respectively integrated to the flexible rear panel, the flexible front panel and the flexible top panel, and, wherein; an internal rigid plastic first side panel couples at a first side plastic panel edge to a first side intersection between the flexible first side panel and the flexible rear panel, an internal rigid plastic second side panel couples at a second side plastic panel edge to a second side intersection between the flexible second side panel and the flexible rear panel, and an internal rigid plastic bottom panel couples at a bottom plastic panel edge to a bottom intersection between the flexible rear panel and the flexible bottom panel.
 10. The article of claim 9, wherein in an expanded form the flexible bottom, side, front, rear, and top panels, and interior rigid plastic panels form at least one of a substantially square cubicle and rectangular cubicle container comprising an interior volume to store items.
 11. The article of claim 10, wherein the dedicated writing surface comprises a material configured to receive writing by the writing instrument and may be subsequently erasable, and the writing instrument comprises at least one of a chalk type material and dry erase marker.
 12. The article of claim 11 wherein the container comprises an external handle affixed to at least one of the flexible bottom, first side, second side, front, rear, and top panels for carrying the container.
 13. The article of claim 12, wherein the flexible bottom, first side, second side, front, rear, and top panels comprises at least one of a cloth and woven synthetic material.
 14. The article of claim 13, wherein the flexible bottom, first side, second side, front, rear, and top panels collapse to provide a substantially flat configuration.
 15. The article of claim 14, wherein at least one of the flexible bottom, first side, second side, front, rear, and top panels comprises at least one of a pocket and sleeve at an exterior of the flexible bottom, first side, second side, front, rear, and top panels.
 16. A method for manufacturing a collapsible storage container article comprising: weaving a fabric to create a flexible bottom panel, flexible side panels, a flexible front panel, a flexible rear panel, and a flexible top panel, stitching together the various panels to create the storage container article comprising an interior volume; inserting a plurality of rigid plastic panels or proximate placement to at least one of each of the flexible bottom, sides, front, rear and top panels; and providing an exterior of at least one of the flexible bottom, sides, front, rear and top panels to comprise a dedicated writing surface capable of receiving writing by a writing instrument.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein in an expanded form the flexible bottom, sides front, rear, and top panels, and interior rigid plastic panels form at least one of a substantially square cubicle and rectangular cubicle container comprising the interior volume to store items.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the dedicated writing surface comprises a material configured to receive writing by the writing instrument and may be subsequently erasable, and the writing ins raiment comprises a chalk type material.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the container comprises an external handle affixed to at least one of the flexible bottom, sides, front, rear, and top panels for carrying the container.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the flexible bottom, sides, front, rear, and top panels, and plurality of rigid plastic panels are manufactured to provide a collapsible structure to provide a substantially flat configuration. 